African Perceptions of Chinese businesses operating in Africa

The Ethics Institute of South Africa and other partners are conducting a survey to gather reliable data about african perception about the presence of Chinese companies in african countries.

The Ethics Institute of South Africa and other partners are conducting a survey to gather reliable data about african perception about the presence of Chinese companies in african countries. The findings of this survey will provide a basis for transparent and informed discussions with Chinese companies doing business in Africa.

This survey is conducted by the Ethics Institute of South Africa (EthicsSA), in collaboration with the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress of Humankind, the Forum on Ethics and Responsibility, Globethics.net and the Centre for International Business Ethics (CIBE) in Beijing, China.

All Africans living in one of the following countries can participate anonymously in the survey: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The survey can be completed (approximately 5 to max 10 minutes) in English, French and Portuguese online at:

Business, government, civil society and academia each have important roles to play in strengthening and improving business ties between Chinese companies and the African communities in which they do business. That was the conclusion of delegates attending a three-day dialogue between stakeholders.

This survey measures Africans’ perceptions of Chinese business in their countries. Such a survey is long overdue. Fifteen African countries with a large presence of Chinese companies were identified to participate in the survey. In total, 1,056 Africans completed an online questionnaire. The results indicate that Africans are happy with Chinese investment in that it contributes to development. They are, however, concerned about its economic, workplace, social and environmental (...)